The Works of Lord Byron, vol 1 | Page 2

first volume, are of slight if any literary
value, but they reflect with singular clearness and sincerity the temper
and aspirations of the tumultuous and moody stripling to whom "the
numbers came," but who wisely abstained from printing them himself.
Byron's notes, of which many are published for the first time, and
editorial notes, enclosed in brackets, are printed immediately below the
variorum readings. The editorial notes are designed solely to supply the
reader with references to passages in other works illustrative of the text,
or to interpret expressions and allusions which lapse of time may have
rendered obscure.
Much of the knowledge requisite for this purpose is to be found in the
articles of the 'Dictionary of National Biography', to which the fullest
acknowledgments are due; and much has been arrived at after long
research, involving a minute examination of the literature, the
magazines, and often the newspapers of the period.
Inasmuch as the poems and plays have been before the public for more
than three quarters of a century, it has not been thought necessary to
burden the notes with the eulogies and apologies of the great poets and
critics who were Byron's contemporaries, and regarded his writings,
both for good and evil, for praise and blame, from a different
standpoint from ours. Perhaps, even yet, the time has not come for a
definite and positive appreciation of his genius. The tide of feeling and
opinion must ebb and flow many times before his rank and station
among the poets of all time will be finally adjudged. The splendour of
his reputation, which dazzled his own countrymen, and, for the first
time, attracted the attention of a contemporary European audience to an
English writer, has faded, and belongs to history; but the poet's work
remains, inviting a more intimate and a more extended scrutiny than it
has hitherto received in this country. The reader who cares to make
himself acquainted with the method of Byron's workmanship, to
unravel his allusions, and to follow the tenour of his verse, will, it is

hoped, find some assistance in these volumes.
I beg to record my especial thanks to the Earl of Lovelace for the use of
MSS. of his grandfather's poems, including unpublished fragments; for
permission to reproduce portraits in his possession; and for valuable
information and direction in the construction of some of the notes.
My grateful acknowledgments are due to Dr. Garnett, C.B., Dr. A. H.
Murray, Mr. R. E. Graves, and other officials of the British Museum,
for invaluable assistance in preparing the notes, and in compiling a
bibliography of the poems.
I have also to thank Mr. Leslie Stephen and others for important hints
and suggestions with regard to the interpretation of some obscure
passages in 'Hints from Horace'.
In correcting the proofs for the press, I have had the advantage of the
skill and knowledge of my friend Mr. Frank E. Taylor, of Chertsey, to
whom my thanks are due.
On behalf of the Publisher, I beg to acknowledge with gratitude the
kindness of the Lady Dorchester, the Earl Stanhope, Lord Glenesk and
Sir Theodore Martin, K.C.B., for permission to examine MSS. in their
possession; and of Mrs. Chaworth Musters, for permission to reproduce
her miniature of Miss Chaworth, and for other favours. He desires also
to acknowledge the generous assistance of Mr. and Miss Webb, of
Newstead Abbey, in permitting the publication of MS. poems, and in
making transcripts for the press.
I need hardly add that, throughout the progress of the work, the advice
and direct assistance of Mr. John Murray and Mr. R. E. Prothero have
been always within my reach. They have my cordial thanks.
ERNEST HARTLEY COLERIDGE.
[facsimile of title page:]
POEMS ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS.

Virginibus Puerisque Canto.
(Hor. Lib, 3. 'Ode 1'.)
The only Apology necessary to be adduced, in extenuation of any
errors in the following collection, is, that the Author has not yet
completed his nineteenth year.
December 23,1806.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE TO 'HOURS OF IDLENESS AND
OTHER EARLY POEMS'.
There were four distinct issues of Byron's Juvenilia. The first collection,
entitled 'Fugitive Pieces', was printed in quarto by S. and J. Ridge of
Newark. Two of the poems, "The Tear" and the "Reply to Some Verses
of J. M. B. Pigot, Esq.," were signed "BYRON;" but the volume itself,
which is without a title-page, was anonymous. It numbers sixty-six
pages, and consists of thirty-eight distinct pieces. The last piece,
"Imitated from Catullus. To Anna," is dated November 16, 1806. The
whole of this issue, with the exception of two or three copies, was
destroyed. An imperfect copy, lacking pp. 17-20 and pp. 58-66, is
preserved at Newstead. A perfect copy, which had been retained by the
Rev. J. T. Becher, at whose instance the issue was suppressed, was
preserved